Diving, Snorkeling and More on Turks & Caicos Islands

The stunning barrier reef around the Turks & Caicos Islands makes this destination one of the best in the world for snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkelers tend to take their time gliding along the long, fragile stretches of multicolored coral. Among the dozens of dive sites, a mile-high undersea wall just 400 yards off the shore of Grand Turk Island is one of the most popular.

But there’s more to this chain of tiny coral islands, just 30 miles south of the Bahamas, than what is found in the water. With average temperatures in the 80s, refreshing trade winds and 350 days of sunshine a year, cruise passengers are likely to find ideal vacation weather when they disembark at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

Plenty of quality shopping is available in a complex at the dock, but don’t spend all of your time on the island in the shops. Venture out to stroll the beach, take a doze on a chaise lounge with a glass of tropical punch at hand, or rent a private cabana for the day and order up a massage. If you’re looking for something more active, in addition to snorkeling and diving you can kayak, fish for tuna or blue marlin, or ride through the surf on horseback. Dune buggies and bikes are available for rent, too.

If you’d like to learn more about the islands, visit the Turks & Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town. There’s a display on the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest European shipwreck to be found in the Western Hemisphere, and some believe the ship is Christopher Columbus’ Pinta. Or, take a look at the Grand Turk Lighthouse, which has done its best to warn ships about the island’s reefs for more than 150 years.

At the end of a beautiful day on Grand Turk, you’ll board your cruise ship ready to discuss your experiences on the island over dinner. To find out which cruise itineraries include time in the relaxed beauty of the Turks & Caicos, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.